Apparatus for an adjustable p-trap

ABSTRACT

An adjustable P-trap for a sink is presented. The P-trap has a semi-rigid J-shaped tube with a diameter between one inch and two inches. The J-tube has a long end to connect to a sink drain and a short end to connect to a wall drain. When the long or short end do not reach the appropriate drain an extension tube is cut to length during installation. The long end of the J-tube has threads constructed to receive a threaded adapter and the short end of the J-tube also has threads constructed to receive the extension tube. When a first hose clamp (4a) to clamp the threaded adapter in the long end of the J-tube. When the extension tube is used, the extension tube is mated with the appropriate end and hose clamp is used to secure the two together. The extension tube is then mated to the sink or wall drain.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to p-traps used in plumbing, and more particularly to adjustable p-trap.

BACKGROUND

The plumbing and construction industries have for a long time understood the necessity of employing a trap, to act as a vapor barrier, between an open drain hole in a sink, for example, and a conduit to a sewer system or septic holding tank. Such traps are configured to retain (trap) an amount of water in a U-shaped bend which is sufficient to form the vapor barrier against noxious sewer gases entering living space through an otherwise open drain. Such gasses are unhealthy and can cause sickness.

A conventional P-trap is formed from generally tubular drain fittings, which may be fabricated from either metal or plastic. A conventional trap is typically formed with the U bend to which is attached, for example, a 90-degree elbow at the outlet leg of the U. This elbow defines a generally horizontal outlet which can then be connected to appropriate drainage tubing which is in turn connected to a sewer or septic system for the disposal of liquid wastes. For P-traps made from plastic fittings the inlet leg of the U is typically solvent welded or frictionally coupled to a drain pipe which may for example extend down from a sink or bathtub drain.

Typically, between the 90-degree elbow and the U is a joint which may be either a solvent joint or may be a detachable joint held together by a threaded connector. The other outlet end of the elbow is also typically solvent welded to the outflow drainage conduit.

Ideally such a P-trap is installed as follows. First the drain pipe from the sink and the drain conduit connecting the sink to the septic or sewer system are roughed in to an approximate location. The ends of these pipes will be generally in the same area, but not attached. Then the P-trap is installed between the free ends of the two pipes. The P-trap, comprising the elbow and the U-shaped tube tightly threaded together, is first solvent welded at one end and then solvent welded at the other end. Then the threaded joint can be undone or relaxed if needed for further manipulation of the pipes.

However, what more typically happens is that the installer positions the P-trap in place between the free ends, and then trims the ends of the pipes to an appropriate length to accept the P-trap there-between. The location of the trap is often very awkward; the pipes may be crammed together under a sink in a vanity cabinet for example. So, typically, the installer will undo the threaded connection, and then solvent cement or glue or solvent weld, individually, the separated elbow and the u-shaped tube to respective free ends of the pipes. Then, the installer uses the threaded connector to draw the two components into a sealing relationship. While easy, this method is problematic. It is very difficult to ensure the two fittings are both attached perfectly in the same plane.

Further because they are separated at the time they are attached, it is difficult to ensure that the ends are sufficiently close to permit the connector to easily couple the two ends together. As a result, it can be difficult to make a leakproof joint at the connection between the U-bend and the 90-degree elbow, because to do so requires precise positioning of the two solvent welded fittings relative to one another at a time when they are separated. According to preferred procedures, the threaded connection should be made tight between the elbow and the U-shaped bend before welding the components in place.

However, where the elbow and U-shaped pipe are disconnected and each independently solvent welded onto their respective drain pipe connections misalignment usually occurs. The threaded coupler can compensate slightly for misalignment because of the compression provided by the threaded coupler onto a seal and the slight resiliency of a plastic pipe system. To rely on the inherent resiliency of the pipe system however essentially introduces a strain into the system.

A P-trap joint which is under pressure may not seal properly or worse, it may seem sealed but over time due to the strain introduced by misalignment may fail later. Alternatively, if the misalignment is large, the pressure generated by the threaded coupler as the components are clamped together can be enough to cause a cracking or opening of other drain pipe connections in the piping system. What is required, therefore, is a P-trap assembly which couples or connects to form a good liquid tight seal even when the components are slightly out of alignment without creating unacceptable stresses in either the P-trap assembly or any other part of the plumbing system.

FIG. 1 shows the prior art P-trap assembly. The P-trap is a J-tube 50. The J-tube 50 as a long end and a short end. The long end of the J-tube is an upper squeeze coupling 51. The short end of the J-tube has a lower squeeze coupling 52. The upper squeeze coupling 51 of the J-tube is typically connected to the drain of a sink (not shown). The lower squeeze coupling 52 of the J-tube 50 is typically coupled to a pipe leading to the sewage system to remove waste and waste water from the sink. The J-tube 50 when in place and water is flowing into the J-tube 50 forms a P-trap to keep odors and gases from leaking back through the sink.

One problem is that the prior art, as shown in FIG. 1, requires an exact length between the sink drain and the wall drain. If the J-tube 50 needs to be altered in length, the J-tube must be cut and either or both upper squeeze coupling 51 and/or lower squeeze coupling 52 will be removed. The threaded coupling for the upper squeeze coupling 51 and/or lower squeeze coupling 52 would be removed and a coupling to either the sink drain or wall drain would be compromised.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of a J-tube pipe (Prior Art).

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view of a J-tube pipe with an extension tube.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary J-tube assembly with the exemplary extension tube in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. All terms in the plural shall also be taken as singular and vice-versa. Further, any reference to he shall also be applicable to she and vice-versa. With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the figures.

FIG. 2 presents an exemplary of a J-tube pipe with an extension tube. A J-tube 1 has a long end 5 and a short end 6. The J-tube has a diameter of one (1) or two (2) inches, though other diameters may be substituted as this invention is an advancement for any size piping.

The long end 5 of the J-tube 1 has a hose clamp 4 a and a threads 3 a. The J-tube 1 is semi-rigid and may be made of any material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or any other material suitable for carrying waste from a sink.

The long end 5 of the J-tube 1 can be any length from the bottom 8 of the J-tube 1 to the threads 3 a of the long end 5 of the J-tube 1. The proximal end of the long end 5 of the J-tube 1 has a long end hose clamp 4 a. The hose clamp 4 a coupled to the long end 5 of the J-tube 1. The length of the long end 5 of the J-tube 1 from the threads 3 a to the bottom 8 of the J-tube 1 is between five (5) and seven (7) inches. The long end threads 3 a of the long end 5 of the J-tube 1 mates with the sink drain.

The short end 6 of the J-tube 1 has a hose clamp 4 b and a short end threads 3 b. The short end 6 of the J-tube 1 can be any length from the bottom 8 of the J-tube 1 to the short end threads 3 b of the short end 6 of the J-tube 1. The proximal end of the short end 6 of the J-tube 1 has a short end hose clamp 4 b. The short end hose clamp 4 b coupled to the short end 6 of the J-tube 1. The length of the short end 6 of the J-tube 1 from the short end threads 3 b to the bottom 8 of the J-tube 1 can be any length, the length of the short end 6 of the J-tube 1 is between three (3) and five inches. The short end threads 3 b of the short end 6 of the J-tube 1 mates with the wall drain.

The short end 6 of the J-tube 1 and the long end 5 of the J-tube are separated by curvature of the bottom 8 of the J-tube 1. The distance between the long end 5 of the J-tube 1 and the short end 6 of the J-tube 1, at its furthest points, is between four (4) and six (6) inches, this distance may be further if necessary to couple the sink drain to the wall drain.

An extension tube 7 is shown. The extension tube 7 is used when the length of the long end 5 of the J-tube 1 and/or the short end 6 of the J-tube 1 is long enough to reach the wall drain or the sink drain. When the long end 5 of the J-tube 1 is not long enough to mate with the sink drain, a measurement of the distance from the long end threads 3 a to the sink wall drain is calculated. The extension tube 7 is cut to the calculated length and the long end threads 3 a of the long end 5 of the J-tube 1 receives the extension tube 7. The long end hose clamp 4 a clamps the extension tube 7 to the long end 5 of the J-tube 1. The end of the extension tube 7 that is not mated with the long end threads 3 a of the long end 5 of the J-tube 1 is then coupled with the wall drain.

When the short end 6 of the J-tube 1 is not long enough to mate with the wall drain, a measurement of the distance from the short end threads 3 b to the wall drain is calculated. The extension tube 7 is cut to the calculated length and the short end threads 3 b of the short end 6 of the J-tube 1 receives the extension tube 7. The short end hose clamp 4 b clamps the extension tube 7 to the short end 6 of the J-tube 1. The end of the extension tube 7 that is not mated with the short end threads 3 b of the short end 6 of the J-tube 1 is then coupled with the wall drain when the sink is lowered onto the extension tube 7.

Now referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary view of the J-tube structure with an extension tube is shown. A J-tube pipe 1 has a bottom 8 of the J-tube 1 and a short end 6 and a long end 5. The long end 5 of the J-tube 1 has a long end claim 4 a and a sink adapter 2 to be mated with a sink drain. The short end 6 of the J-tube 1 has a short end claim 4 b and a short end threads 3 b for mating with a wall drain.

The long end 5 of the J-tube 1 was not long enough to mate with the sink drain and the distance from the long end 5 of the J-tube 1 was measured for length to mate the pipe. The extension tube 7 was cut to the length measured to mate the sink drain with the long end 5 of the J-tube. The extension tube 7 was received by the long end 5 of the J-tube 1 and the long end clamp 4 a was tightened to secure the extension tube 7 to the long end 7 of the J-tube. The sink adapter 2 of the extension tube 7 allows the extension tube to mate with the sink drain when the sink is installed.

The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments or combined with or interchanged with the features of other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. 

1. An adjustable P-trap for a sink, the sink having a sink drain and a wall drain pipe comprising: a semi-rigid J-shaped tube (1) of diameter between one inch and two inches, the J-shaped tube having a long end (5) and a short end (6); an extension tube (7) configured to be cut to length during installation; wherein, the long end of the J-shaped tube (1) has threads (3 a) constructed to receive a threaded adapter (2); wherein, the short end of the J-shaped tube also has threads (3 b) constructed to receive the extension tube; a first hose clamp (4 a) to clamp the threaded adapter in the long end of the J-shaped tube; a second hose clamp (4 b) to clamp the extension tube in the short end of the J-shaped tube; whereby, when the sink is lowered, the threaded adapter (7) mates with the sink drain, and the extension tube can be cut to length to allow it to mate with the wall drain pipe.
 2. The adjustable P-trap of claim 1 wherein the J-shaped tube (1) is between five and seven inches from the long end (5) to its bottom (8).
 3. The adjustable P-trap of claim 2 wherein the J-shaped tube (1) is six inches from its long end (5) to its bottom (8).
 4. The adjustable P-trap of claim 1 wherein the J-shaped tube (1) is between four inches and six inches between the long end (5) and the short end (6) measured between farthest points.
 5. The adjustable P-trap of claim 4 wherein the J-shaped tube (1) is five inches between the long end (5) and the short end (6) measured between farthest points.
 6. The adjustable P-trap of claim 1 wherein the J-shaped tube is between three inches and five inches from its short end (6) to its bottom (8).
 7. The adjustable P-trap of claim 6 wherein the J-shaped tube (1) is four inches from its short end (6) to its bottom (8).
 8. The adjustable P-trap of claim 1 wherein the J-shaped tube is made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic.
 9. An adjustable P-trap for a sink, the sink having a sink drain and a wall drain pipe comprising: a semi-rigid J-shaped tube (1) of diameter between one inch and two inches, the J-shaped tube having a long end (5) and a short end (6); wherein, the long end (5) of the J-shaped tube (1) has threads (3 a) constructed to receive a threaded adapter (2); wherein, the short end (6) of the J-shaped tube (1) also has threads (3 b) constructed to receive an extension tube; a first hose clamp to clamp (4 a) the threaded adapter in the long end (5) of the J-shaped tube; a second hose clamp (4 b) to clamp the extension tube (7) in the short end (6) of the J-shaped tube; whereby, when the sink is lowered, the threaded adapter mates with the sink drain, and the extension tube can be cut to length to allow it to mate with wall drain pipe.
 10. The adjustable P-trap of claim 9 wherein the J-shaped tube (1) is between five and seven inches from the long end (5) to its bottom (8).
 11. The adjustable P-trap of claim 10 wherein the J-shaped tube (1) is six inches from its long end (5) to its bottom (8).
 12. The adjustable P-trap of claim 9 wherein the J-shaped tube (1) is between four inches and six inches between the long end (5) and the short end (6) measured between farthest points.
 13. The adjustable P-trap of claim 12 wherein the J-shaped tube (1) is five inches between the long end (5) and the short end (6) measured between farthest points.
 14. The adjustable P-trap of claim 9 wherein the J-shaped tube (1) is between three inches and five inches from its short end (6) to its bottom (8).
 15. The adjustable P-trap of claim 14 wherein the J-shaped tube (1) is four inches from its short end (6) to its bottom (8).
 16. The adjustable P-trap of claim 9 wherein the J-shaped tube (1) is made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic.
 17. An adjustable P-trap for a sink, the sink having a drain pipe and a wall drain pipe comprising: a semi-rigid J-shaped tube (1) of diameter between one inch and two inches, the J-shaped tube (1) having a long end (5) and a short end (6); wherein, the long end (5) of the J-shaped tube (1) has threads (13 a) constructed to receive a threaded adapter (2); wherein, the short end (6) of the J-shaped tube (6) also has threads (3 b) constructed to receive an extension tube (7); whereby, when the sink is lowered, the threaded adapter (2) mates with the sink drain and can be secured with a hose clamp, and an extension tube (7) can be cut to length to allow it to mate with the wall drain pipe and can also be secured with a hose clamp.
 18. The adjustable P-trap of claim 17 wherein the J-shaped tube (1) is six inches from its long end (5) to its bottom (8).
 19. The adjustable P-trap of claim 17 wherein the J-shaped tube (1) is four inches from its short end (6) to its bottom (8).
 20. The adjustable P-trap of claim 17 wherein the J-shaped tube is made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. 